What is an idiom?

An idiom is an expression or phrase whose meaning does not

relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words “Idioms mean something
different than the individual words.” Students often confuse idioms with proverbs.
However, these are two different things. Proverbs are well-known for stating a piece
of advice or general fact. For example, ‘a picture is worth a thousand words’ is a
proverb – a general truth. Let us consider the idiom ‘bite off more than you can
chew‘. What you meant is that you are trying to do something that is too hard for
you. Read this blog to know 100 useful and common idioms with examples and
meanings.

Idioms and their Meanings Quiz

100 Common Idioms with Examples & their Meanings

Have to come across commonly used English idioms while watching American TV
series or movies? English expressions, proverbs and idioms play an important role in
everyday English both written and spoken. As idioms do not always make literal
sense, students should be familiar with their meaning and how to use them. This
may appear to be a lot of work, but idioms are fun! It is often called a manner of
speaking that sounds more native, so it’s really useful to master some of these
expressions.

So, here’s a list of the top 100 common idioms with their meanings and sentence
examples:

So, here’s a list of the top 100 common idioms with their meanings and sentence
examples:

Idiom Idioms Meaning

Beat around the bush To avoid talking about what’s important
Get your act together Get organized and do things effectively
Hit the sack Go to sleep
Your guess is as good as mine I do not know
Good things come to those who To have patience
wait
Back against the wall Stuck in a difficult circumstance with no escape
Up in arms Being grumpy or angry about something
Scrape the barrel Making the most of the worst situations or things because you can’t do an
about it
Burn your boats/bridges Doing something that makes it impossible to go back to the original state
Break fresh/ new ground Doing something that has never been done before
Sell like hot cakes Quick sellout
Run around in circles Putting efforts into something that is not a worthwhile result
On cloud nine Being very happy
Left out in the cold Being ignored
Blow hot and cold Alternate inconsistently between moods and actions
 Idiom Idioms Meaning
Cut corners Doing something in an easier and least expensive manner
Boil the ocean Taking up an almost impossible or overly ambitious project
Keep an ear to the ground Staying informed and updated about everything
Eat like a horse Eating too excessively
A snowball effect The aspect of momentum in every event and how they build upon each o
Important Tip to Learn Idioms with Examples and their meanings:
It is comparatively easier to remember words unlike idioms because idioms
(phrases) contain 3 or more words. And, remembering a chain of words and then
speaking them in the correct sequence is not easy. But, one thing you can do is to
repeat the idiom and their meaning a few times loudly and then use it in 2 to 3
different sentences.

Now check out 80 idioms with examples and their meanings:

21. In for a penny, in for a pound

Meaning: That someone is intentionally investing his time or money for a particular
project or task.
Example: When Athlead was booming, Jim was in for a penny and in for a
pound, that’s how much dedicated he was.

22. A bird in the hand is better than two in the bush

Meaning: An opportunity in hand, currently, is better than a prospect in the future,

because time never repeats itself.
Example: The detective apprehended 3 criminals and saw other one running but
didn’t chase him, because she knew a bird in one hand is better than two in the
bush.

23. Chip off the old block

Meaning: That a person is similar in behaviour or actions like his parents.

Example: When grandmother saw her grandson collecting coins like her son used to
do, she knew he was a Chip off the old block.

24. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you

Meaning: Treat people the same way you want to be treated.

Example: I felt Peter was a little cold today towards that homeless man, he
should do unto others as he would have them do unto him, because who knows
about time.

25. Don’t cry over spilt milk

Meaning: Don’t cry over what has happened as it can not be fixed.
Example: Walter failed his examination but his dad came and said just one thing,
“Son, Don’t cry over spilt milk.”
26. Every cloud has a silver lining

Meaning: Bad things one day eventually lead to good things.

Example: See, yesterday you were so morose as your phone was stolen but look at
you today, you got a promotion. Is it rightly said that every cloud has a silver
lining.

27. Beside yourself with joy

Meaning: To be extremely happy.

Example: I can see that you are beside yourself with joy on being selected for the
job, congratulations.

28. Fair and square

Meaning: Being direct or fair.

Example: To tell you fair and square, I did everything that I was meant to do, but I
still feel unfulfilled.

29. Having an Ace up the sleeve

Meaning: Have an advantage that is currently being withheld for future purposes.
Example: Brian kept quiet at the board meeting, who knew he had an Ace hidden
up his sleeve the whole time.

30. A black sheep

Meaning: Being a disgrace for the family.

Example: They don’t talk about Olive anymore, turns out he was the Black
sheep for the family, he married someone else while he was still arranged to his
fiancé.

31. Hook, line and sinker

Meaning: Doing something or trying to achieve something with thoroughness and

passion.
Example: I have set my mind to go through the spreadsheets by Monday and I am
working for it Hook, line and sinker.

32. Looking to your laurels

Meaning: Not be lost in your achievements and losing the sight of what is supposed
to happen.
Example: Look to your laurels but do not rest on it.

33. Bear a grudge

Meaning: To continue to feel angry or unfriendly for someone or something because
of a particular past incident.
Example: I Bear a grudge against him for not taking me into confidence.

34. By the skin of your teeth

Meaning: To just barely get by or make it.

Example: Lester made the dance team By the skin of his teeth, you see the
audition gates were about to get closed.

Ever thought what it takes to be a fluent speaker? You might have been lured into
paying a hearty amount of money to build fluency in the English
language. Here’s how to speak fluent English in 30 days.

35. Down for the count

Meaning: Tired; giving up.

Example: My pet dog is down for the count after playing the whole day with the
frisbee.

36. Draw the line

Meaning: To stop before a point where something okay gets not okay.
Example: Hey buddy, that’s enough, Draw the line before someone comes and
beats you to a pulp.

37. Easier said than done

Meaning: Not as easy as it appears to be.

Example: Listen, losing weight is easier said than done, many people lack
commitment.

38. Break a leg

Meaning: Saying good luck to someone.

Example: Hey Barry, it’s time for you to get on the stage and present your
monologue, break a leg.

39. Up a creek without a paddle

Meaning: In an unlucky situation.

Example: Dan tried to dine and dash yesterday at a Chinese place but he was
stopped by the waiters, guess he was up a creek without a paddle yesterday.

40. Give it a whirl

Meaning: To give something a try.

Example: I am absolutely terrified of skydiving, but I think once in my life, I will give
it a whirl.
41. Fish out of water

Meaning: To be out of your comfort zone.

Example: Tom felt like a fish out of water when his girlfriend took him to a Star
Wars convention in LA.

42. In the fast lane

Meaning: A life filled with excitement.

Example: When Chris turned forty, he decided to live his life in the fast lane and
quit his job for his hobbies.

43. Go the extra mile

Meaning: To make an extra effort.

Example: He was willing to go the extra mile for the love of his life, Mia.

44. Snug as a bug in a rug

Meaning: Warm and cosy.

Meaning: The baby looks as snug as a bug in a rug next to her mother.

45. Step up your game

Meaning: To start performing better

Example: Jennifer better step up her game if she wants to make big in Basketball.

Idioms are used as a figurative language, i.e. the use of words in an imaginative and
unusual manner. Take a look at more idioms with examples.

46. To not see the wood for the trees

Meaning: To be so involved in trivial matters that you don’t get the important facts.
Example: He always argues on the silliest topics, it’s like he can’t see wood for the
trees.

47. Lose your marbles

Meaning: To go insane.
Example: Our mailman has lost his marbles, every day he drops Mr. Smith’s mail
on our door.

48. Straight from the Horse’s mouth

Meaning: Directly from the person involved.

Example: Listen to the news straight from the horse’s mouth, his factory burned
down right in front of his eyes.
49. Crying Wolf

Meaning: To ask for help when you don’t need it.

Example: You have cried Wolf so many times that no one believes you now.

50. Palm off

Meaning: Pass off something as genuine when it is spurious.

Example: This shopkeeper always palms off old stock to the customers.

51. Has bigger fish to fry

Meaning: Has more important work to do.

Example: Please don’t bother me today with any calls, I have bigger fish to fry.

52. Look before you leap

Meaning: Calculate the risks before advancing towards a possibility.

Example: You can’t just sell all of your shares when the market is low, look before
you leap, Trump is coming tomorrow, it is possible the shares will grow.

53. On thin ice

Meaning: In a precarious or risky situation.

Example: Andy played hooky from work for a week saying he was sick, now his
boss said that he is on very thin ice.

54. Play devil’s advocate

Meaning: To argue, just for the sake of it.

Example: He was not agreeing to back off, as if he was playing devil’s advocate.

Besides, knowing about various idioms with examples, a good vocabulary can take
you to places in the competitive exams as well as in life. Here’s our blog on 50
difficult words with meanings for you to master your speaking skills now!

55. Rain on someone’s parade

Meaning: To spoil a moment.

Example: He told his wife that he doesn’t want to rain on her parade, but they had
to shift their vacation dates.

56. Take a rain check

Meaning: Postpone a plan.

Example: He asked me whether I would like to have dinner with his family, but I had
a thing so I said, rain check.
57. Take it with a grain of salt

Meaning: Don’t take it too seriously.

Example: She tells great tales but we take whatever she says with a grain of salt.

58. Like a cakewalk

Meaning: So easy task.

Example: Everyone took hours to write the code but Adam did it like a cakewalk.

59. Throw caution to the wind

Meaning: Take a risk.

Example: The caretaker threw caution to the wind by taking a sick baby outside.

60. Penny wise and Pound foolish

Meaning: Careful in trivial matters but wasteful or extravagant in large matters.

Example: That man eats Ramen noodles daily for dinner but for his dog, he threw a
big party. He is indeed penny wise and pound foolish.

61. The whole nine yards

Meaning: Everything, all the way.

Example: I want to know everything there is to know about this merger, the whole
nine yards of the deal.

62. The best thing since sliced bread

Meaning: A really good invention.

Example: Bluetooth is officially the best thing since sliced bread.

123 Pair of Words List 101 Sentences

The purpose of the pair of words is to enhance the vocabulary. You should try to understand
their meanings and correct usage.
Keep in mind the some tips to master the pair of words.

 Read carefully each pair and note the difference in their meanings and spellings.
 Try to understand the context of the sentence first.
 Fix in mind the meaning of one word at a time.
Pair of Words List
Here is the list of 123 Pair of Words with meaning
Its (show possession) It’s (It is)
Adjured (requested) Abjure (renounce)

Accept (consent to receive) Except (other than)

Access (approach or enter) Excess (more than necessary)

Adopt (legally take) Adapt (become adjusted)

Admit (confess to be true) Confess (admit when something done wrong)

Advice (guidance) Advise (offer recommendations)

Affection (love) Affectation (pretention)

Enmity (feeling of active hostility) Amity (Friendship)

Amoral (lack moral sense) Immoral (sinful)

Appraise (assess or estimate) Apprise (inform)

Accede (agree) Exceeds (surpass)

Assent (permission) Ascent (rising)

Aural (heard) Oral (spoken)

Attention (action of dealing with) Intention (an aim or plan)

Averse (strong dislike) Adverse (harmful)

Avocation (hobby) Vocation (trade or profession)

A lot (a large number) Allot (give)

All ready (completely prepared) Already (by now)

Allude (suggest) Elude (evade or escape)

Award (prize to someone) Reward (thing given in recognition of effort)

Alternate (every other) Alternative (another available possibility)

Affect (make a difference to) Effect (bring about)

Amiable (lovable) Amicable (friendly)

Angle (space between two intersecting lines) Angel (person of exemplary conduct)

Anticipate (prepare for one’s self for) Expect (likely to happen)

A while (a time period) Awhile (for short time)

Anecdote (amusing story, tale) Antidote (medicine)

Besides (a part from) Beside (next to)

Between (used for two objects) Among (surrounded by, more than two)

Backwards (back towards starting point) Backward (directed behind)

Bored (feeling impatient and weary) Board (a piece of wood)

Break (separate into pieces) Brake (instrument to slow down the vehicle)

Breath (air inhaled into and expelled from lungs) Breathe (take air into or expel from lungs)

Bridal (concern to bride) Bridle (headgear to control horse)

Canvas (strong cloth made of hemp) Canvass (propose)

Censured (condemned) Censor (judge)

Childlike (innocent) Childish (immature)

Clothes (attire) Cloths (fabric)

Coarse (rough) Course (route)

Complimented (praise) Complementing (accompany)

Confident (assured) Confidant (best friend)

Connotes (suggest) Denotes (indicates)

Conscious (aware) Conscience (sense of right)

Contemptuous (disrespectful) Contemptible (mean, ignoble)

Continual (frequent) Continuous (uninterrupted)

Convince (induce someone to do something) Persuade (induce someone through reasons)

Counsel (advice) Council (board, panel)

Credible (acceptable) Creditable (commendable)

Criterion (basis) Criteria (plural, basis)

Dinning (loud noise) Dining (eating activity)

Dissent (disagreement) Descent (going down)

Diary (journal) Dairy (made from milk)

Demure (modest) Demur (object)

Dessert (dessert) Desert (empty, abandon)

Devise (conceive) Device (gadget)

Die (expire) Dye (colouring)

Discreet (careful) Discrete (separate)

Disinterested (impartial) Uninterested (not interested)

Economic (profitable) Economical (inexpensive)

Elect (opt for to do something) Select (pick)

Elicit (obtain) Illicit (illegal)

Eminent (prestigious) Imminent (near)

Epigram (slogan) Epitaph (memorial)

Entomology (branch of zoology) Etymology (study of origin)

Especially (mainly, mostly) Specially (for special purpose)

Everyday (daily) Every Day (each day)

Explicit (clear) Implicit (indirect)

Extent (area) Extant (surviving)

Faze (disturb someone) Phase (stage)

Farther (comparative of far) Further (at, to)

Fewer (a small number of) Less (to smaller extent)

Formerly (some time ago) Formally (lawfully)

Fourth (4th) Forth (forward)

Hanged (be suspended) Hung (emotionally confused)

Healthful (nutritious) Healthy (robust)

Heroine (brave woman) Heroin (addictive drug)

Horde (crowd) Hoard (accumulate)

Hour (period of time) Our (belonging to us)

Illusion (spectre) Allusion (reference to)

Immigrate (migrate from elsewhere) Emigrate (leave the country)

Incidence (frequency) Incident (occurrence)

Incredulous (disbelieving) Incredible (unbelievable)

Inflicted (impose) Afflicted (trouble)

Ingenuous (innocent) Ingenious (skillful)

Intensive (deep) Extensive (vast)

Latest (newest) Last (rear)

Led (showed the way) Lead (guide)

Lightning (very quickly) Lightening (make something)

Loose (insecure, baggy) Lose (misplace)

Luxuriant (lush) Luxurious (splendid)

Martial (military) Marital (matrimonial)

Medal (made of some metal) Meddle (interfere)

Moral (virtuous) Morale (spirit)

Naval (Marine) Navel (tummy button)

Now (currently) Know (realize)

Pass (proceed, go) Past (bygone)

Parameter (principle) Perimeter (boundary)

Patience (tolerance) Patient (suffer, victim)

Peace (calmness) Piece (slice)

Peak (top) Peek (glimpse)

Personnel (staff) Personal (individual)

Poring (study, examine) Poured (spew, flow)

Practical (systematic) Practicable (feasible)

Principal (main, chief) Principle (truth)

Pray (preface to polite request) Prey (hunt, kill)

Premier (foremost) Premiere (opening, debut)

Proceed (move on) Precede (come first)

Quiet (silent) Quit (stop)

Reign (rule) Rein (bridle)

Right (fair, good) Write (note, record)

Role (part) Roll (spin, travel)

Sensuous (aesthetic) Sensual (physical)

Site (plot, area) Sight (eyesight)

Stationery (office material) Stationary (fixed)

Statute (law) Statue (sculpture)

Than (used for comparison) Then (at that time)

There (at that place) Their (belonging to people)

Too (over, unduly) To (motion in direction)

Waste (misuse) Waist (part of human body)

Wander (roam) Wonder (admiration)

Whether (inquire about) Weather (atmosphere of a place)

Whose (belong to) Who’s (who is/has)

Pair of words list
101 Pair of Words Sentences
1. What is its color? It’s yellow.
2. The minister adjured his wayward congregation to abjure the sins of the flesh.
3. The object of my life is to help people who are living in abject poverty.
4. All accepted my offer except John.
5. The number of students who wanted to access to the library was in excess of one
hundred.
6. Abstain from wine and refrain from throwing its bottle on the road.
7. The government would often adopt policies that required people to adapt to a harsh
regime.
8. She admits his fault but never confesses her sins.
9. I seek advice from the Holy Quran before I advise anybody.
10. Affection needs no affectation.
11. Love turns enmity into amity.
12. Sometimes it seems more shocking to be amoral than to be immoral.
13. After we have the jeweler appraise the diamond, we will apprise you of its value.
14. The police accede to the proposal that whoever exceeds the speed limits should be
punished.
15. When they got the assent of the weather bureau, they allowed the enormous balloon to
begin its ascent.
16. We must pay attention to the intention of the person who commits some sin.
17. I am averse to traveling in such adverse weather conditions.
18. Teaching is her vocation but painting is her avocation.
19. She would often allude to her childhood when she would elude her brothers in a game
of hide-and-seek.
20. A selfless person does need any award or reward for his services.
21. In mock debates, we used to alternate sides, taking alternative positions.
22. The government tried to alleviate the effects of the depression that affected the poor
man badly.
23. With amiable people, it is not difficult to have an amicable settlement of any dispute.
24. From any angle, he looks to be an angel.
25. It’s difficult to anticipate things that one doesn’t expect.
26. I’ll be back in a while. Can you wait awhile?
27. He told a funny anecdote about mixing up his soda with the snake-bite antidote.
28. Besides my brother, I was also sitting beside my mother.
29. Neither a borrower nor a lender be.
30. The economy seemed to slide backwards thanks to the backward government policies.
31. I was so bored at the Board of Trustees meeting that I fell asleep.
32. He will break the car brake if he keeps pushing on it like that.
33. Every breath counts, so breathe deeply now.
34. The Assembly will discuss the cession of East Pakistan in its next session.
35. We wore canvas shoes while we tried to canvass the entire neighborhood.
36. Some people thought he was sweet and childlike in his innocence, but I always thought
he was boorish and childish.
37. His clothes were made of cloths of many different colors.
38. We used a coarse sandpaper, of course.
39. She complemented sister for complementing the dinner with hot coffee.
40. She was confident that her confidant had given her good information.
41. The word guts denotes one’s intestines but it also connotes determination and courage.
42. There was a terrible dinning noise coming from the dining room.
43. Since no one offered any dissent, we waited for a decent interval and then began
our descent to the lower floors.
44. She didn’t seem conscious of the fact that her husband has no conscience.
45. Her family grew contemptuous of her contemptible behavior.
46. These continual changes in our weather seem to be related to our continuous emissions
of carbon monoxide into the atmosphere.
47. My mother will convince him that she is right and will certainly persuade him to keep
working.
48. She decided to seek the counsel of the Zila Council.
49. It didn’t seem credible that such a creditable person would say such a horrible thing.
50. At first, there was only one criterion for becoming Chairperson, but then, suddenly, the
Party imposed several other criteria.
51. I kept a weekly diary during those years that I worked on the dairy farm.
52. If you wish to seem demure, you will have to demur less forcefully.
53. Any cool dessert would taste great out here in the sandy desert.
54. The prisoner tried to devise a clever device to help him escape.
55. She though her dog would die after it drank that bowl of blue dye.
56. They kept their love affair discreet by living discrete lives.
57. A judge should be disinterested and not uninterested.
58. It was part of the government’s economic strategy to direct the military to purchase the
most economical material available.
59. We should elect a president before he selects members of the cabinet.
60. How did the politicians plan to elicit these obviously illicit funds without getting
caught?
61. They were afraid that his eminent figure in world politics was in imminent danger of
being killed.
62. He wanted to carve an epigram that he had seen used as an epigraph for his
grandfather’s epitaph.
63. He liked bugs and studied entomology; his friend liked words and went into etymology.
64. He especially likes coffee ice-cream. Every week, his wife buys some specially for him.
65. We use our everyday dishes every day.
66. The document now makes explicit what had been only implicit in the cunning eyes of
the negotiator.
67. To what extent have they searched for the extant manuscripts of the Diwan-e-Ghalib?
68. Nothing seemed to faze her as she went through the most critical phase of her life.
69. I can run farther than you, but let’s discuss that further after the race.
70. She has fewer complaints, but she has less energy.
71. Formerly, we met formally to discuss these matters.
72. The soldiers of the fourth regiment bravely went forth.
73. A portrait of the culprit who was hanged last week was hung on the wall.
74. Food can be called healthful if it helps us to live a healthy life.
75. The heroine of the movie died of an overdose of heroin.
76. In less than an hour, the voters in our town are going to vote for us.
77. In his speech, he made an allusion to the illusion that life is a bed of roses.
78. They have immigrated to this city from all over Asia; later on, they may decide
to emigrate elsewhere.
79. The incidence of incidents involving robbery has become intolerable.
80. He was incredulous that his brother could perform such incredible feats.
81. The tyrant inflicted great hardship on the people. They felt afflicted with his harsh
regime.
82. Her naïve and ingenuous mother expressed amazement that her daughter could create
such an ingenious demonstration for the science fair.
83. In the intense heat, the team of scientists did an intensive study of the extensive crop
damage.
84. My latest book “Spoken English” was published last year.
85. As he led his soldiers into battle, his feet seemed made of lead.
86. The lightning striking all around them, the sailors proceeded in their task
of lightening the ship.
87. My shoes are so loose that I’m going to lose them.
88. A luxuriant garden was planted on the grounds of the most luxurious hotel in town.
89. Hamid and Zubda thought that studying the martial arts, like judo, would improve
their marital relationship.
90. He hardly deserves a medal, nor did he show true mettle when he tried to meddle in our
affairs.
91. The moral of this story is that the morale of the business team is very important.
92. My grandfather, a naval officer, was killed when he was struck in the navel by the
cannonball.
93. Now that you know that no one is at home, walk right in.
94. He made an oral commitment to speak on the biological aural aspects of listening. He
has extraordinary verbal skills.
95. The lawyers walked around the perimeter of the estate as they discussed
the parameters of the case.
96. The doctors must have patience in dealing with the patients in the hospital.
97. The period of peace between the two wars is an interesting piece of history.
98. He was poring over his books when he accidentally poured coffee all over his papers.
99. The high school principal said today that principal problem with today’s youth is their
lack of moral principle.
100. During the reign of Charles-I, it was against the law to use a leather rein during
the rain.
101. Her poetry is quite sensuous. In fact, some people find it quite sensual.
So
urce: Pinterest
It is important to note that idioms itself do not create complete sentences and they
require additional context to give them a sense. Take a look at some more idioms
with examples and their meanings:

63. Bite off more than you can chew

Meaning: Take on a difficult work that is beyond your capabilities.

Example: Andrew told his boss that he will triple the sales but in reality, he bit off
more than he can chew and now all of us are in trouble.

64. Play by the ear

Meaning: To improvise.
Example: I just went to Canada and did everything by the ear, no itinerary, no
schedules.

65. Ignorance is bliss

Meaning: You are better off not knowing some things.

Example: His wife always asked him what it was he did late at night, turned out, he
was insider trading. But she knew nothing about this so she won’t be convicted,
sometimes ignorance is bliss.

66. Put something on ice

Meaning: To put something on hold.

Example: As per the boss’ order, Michael has put his personal matters on ice.

67. You can say that again

Meaning: That’s absolutely true.

Example: “The Earth is bleeding”, you can say that again, pal.

68. Bite the bullet

Meaning: To get something over with because it is inevitable.

Example: Vik was diagnosed with second stage cancer but he didn’t want to get
chemotherapy. By the will of his wife, he bit the bullet.

69. Go back to the drawing board

Meaning: Start over.

Example: It is not too late to go back to the drawing board and assess your
mistakes.

70. Call it a day

Meaning: Stop working on something.
Example: Ah! So what we didn’t complete the puzzle today, let’s call it a day and
come back again tomorrow.

71. Beating Around the Bush

Meaning: To talk about unnecessary things.

Example: When I asked my secretary about the missing file and documents, she
was beating around the bush.

72. Be in a Tight Corner.

Meaning: Being in a difficult situation.

Example: Radha’s low grades despite her constant efforts has put her in a
very tight corner.

73. At the 11th Hour

Meaning: At the last moment.

Example: While leaving for Shimla, Harshit kept his mobile phone charger in the bag
at the 11th hour.

74. Swan Song

Meaning: The last piece of work of an artist before his/her death.

Example: This painting was M.F Hussain’s swan song.

75. Wild Goose Chase

Meaning: Futile Chase

Example: Catching the two thieves together on a jam-packed road was no less than
a wild goose chase for the policeman.

76. Bury the Hatchet

Meaning: Ending a quarrel to make peace.

Example: My father buried the hatchet by equally diving the pasta between me and
my sister.

77. To Bell the Cat

Meaning: To face a risk.

Example: He belled the cat when he was trying to escape the prison.

78. Turn a deaf ear

Meaning: To ignore what someone is saying.

Example: Whenever her mother complained of her excessive use of mobile phone,
Anu turned a deaf ear.
79. At Sea

Meaning: Confused
Example: I was at sea while choosing a lehenga for my sister’s wedding at Manish
Malhotra’s store.

80. To be in the doldrums

Meaning: To be in a low spirit

Example: When I got to know about the increasing cases of COVID 19 in my area, I
was in the doldrums.

81. Hit the books

Meaning: Going to study

Example: I won’t be able to come for dinner as I have to hit the books for my half-
yearly examinations.

82. Twist someone’s arm

Meaning: To convince someone

Example: I was not planning to come to the party but by remaining me of all the
good food you twisted my arm!

83. Stab someone in the back

Meaning: To betray a close person

Example: My uncle trusted his driver so much but he stabbed him at the
back when he saw all the money bags.

84. Go cold turkey

Meaning: To quit or stop addictive or dangerous behaviour

Example: No one could believe that my father left eating sweets! He went cold
turkey when the doctors told him that he has diabetes.

85. Ring a bell

Meaning: Sounds familiar

Example: Why does this name ring a bell in my head? Was this girl in my school?

86. Cut to the chase

Meaning: Getting to the important point

Example: As the submissions were to be made tonight, boss cut to the chase and
asked us to start working.

87. Blow off steam

Meaning: Experiencing strong feelings like anger or stress
Example: Shina went running to blow off steam as she had a huge fight with
mother.

88. Face the music

Meaning: Face the reality

Example: Shikha asked her husband to not run away from the problem and just face
the music once!

89. To have sticky fingers

Meaning: Thief
Example: The cashier had a sticky finger, he stole around $2000 and ran away
from the bank.

90. Break the bank

Meaning: To be very expensive

Example: I had to break the bank to but these shoes!

91. Face the music

Meaning: Confront the unpleasant consequences of one’s actions.

Example: We have done it and now it’s time to face the music!

92. It is always darkest before the dawn

Meaning: Things will get better

Example: I know you have gone through the worst, but remember it is always
darkest before the dawn.

93. Jump the gun

Meaning: To act on something promptly before the right time

Example: I think I jumped the gun by sending the e-mail before they tell the time.

94. Wear your heart on your sleeve

Meaning: Expressing yourself too openly

Example: She wears her heart on her sleeve and often gets hurt.

95. Cut no ice

Meaning: Fail to make an impact

Example: Your poetry cuts no ice with me.

96. Light at the end of tunnel

Meaning: Seeing signs of improvement in the future
Example: I see the light at the end of the tunnel for my relationship with her.

97. Through thick and thin

Meaning: Through good and bad times

Example: Books and music stay by your side through thick and thin.

98. Cry for the moon

Meaning: To ask for something that is rather difficult

Example: You are crying for the moon for this concert’s tickets!

99. Read between the lines

Meaning: Understanding the real message behind something

Example: If you try to read between the lines, her song is actually about me.

100. Pour out one’s heart

Meaning: To express openly

Example: I can’t pour my heart out to you if you are too distracted by everything
around yourself.

Learn the 100 Common Idioms with their Meanings

Credits: Lucy with Examples

Courtesy: Pinterest

20 Idioms with their Meanings and Sentences

Here are the most common 20 idioms with their meanings and sentences:

101. A left-handed compliment

Meaning: Saying something insulting in the form of appreciative words.
Example: Her words on my blog seem like a left-handed compliment.
102. Once in a blue moon
Meaning: Not very often
Example: I visit her place once in a blue moon.
103. Call a spade a spade
Meaning: Talking frankly
Example: I will not lie about it and call a spade a spade.
104. Flesh and blood
Meaning: Referring to someone in family or human nature
Example: It’s flesh and blood to feel such strong emotions at this time.
105. Jam on the brakes
Meaning: Press brakes of a vehicle suddenly
Example: I had to jam on the brakes when I saw the deer.
106. Notch up
Meaning: To win or create a record
Example: One Direction notched up the finale with their amazing voice!
107. A slap on the wrist
Meaning: Just a small punishment
Example: You will get a slap on the wrist for painting this wall but don’t dare
to do it again.
108. Knee Jerk Reaction
Meaning: A quick response
Example: The statement was just a knee jerk reaction.
109. Once bitten, twice shy
Meaning: Afraid of doing something again
Example: Once bitten twice shy, he can’t ski.
110. Forty winks
Meaning: A short nap
Example: I will be just in for forty winks, I promise.
111. Up for grabs
Meaning: Available for everyone
Example: This pizza slice is up for grabs!
112. Old as the hills
Meaning: Someone very old
Example: The man looks as old as the hills.
113. Back to square one
Meaning: Start all over again
Example: Your mistake brought us back to square one.
114. Round the bend
Meaning: Crazy
Example: My neighbour is round the bend, don’t try to mess with her.
 115. Against the clock
Meaning: Rushed
Example: I have to hurry for the meeting, I am against the clock.
116. Black and blue
Meaning: Something bruised
Example: What happened? Your eyes look black and blue.
117. Have the blues
Meaning: Sad
Example: After meeting her, I am feeling the blues.
118. Be glad to see the back of
Meaning: Happy when someone leaves
Example: Tomorrow, I will be glad to see the back of her.
119. Black out
Meaning: Faint
Example: I blacked out after two drinks.
120. Get in Shape
Meaning: To become strong or fit
Example: I need to make a proper schedule to get in shape before the
graduation ceremony.

30 More Idioms with Examples and their Meaning for

Students
Here are the most common 30 idioms with their meanings and sentences:

101. Shoot from the hip

Meaning: To speak bluntly or rashly without thinking carefully
Example: Don’t feel bad about what he said. He has a habit of shooting from
the hip, but he means no harm
102. Shoot oneself in the foot
Meaning: To harm one’s own cause inadvertently
Example: Foolishly harm one’s own cause, as in He really shot himself in the
foot, telling the interviewer all about the others who were applying for the job
he wanted.
103. In cold blood
Meaning: If you do something violent and cruel in cold blood, you do it
deliberately and in an unemotional way.
Example: In a purposely ruthless and unfeeling manner, as in The whole
family was murdered in cold blood.
104. Draw first blood
Meaning: If you draw first blood, you cause the first damage to an opponent
in a conflict or contest.
Example: To be the first to gain an advantage or score against an opponent. I
drew first blood in the tournament and quickly dispatched my opponent.
105. Ace up one’s sleeve
Meaning: A secret or hidden advantage that you can use when you need it
Example: Cheating at a card game by hiding a favorable card up one’s
sleeve. I have an ace up my sleeve for this race—my stamina.
106. Play your cards right
Meaning: To behave or work in a way that gives you an advantage or
improves your odds of success.
Example: Play your cards right in college and you’ll get a great job after you
graduate
107. Egg on your face
Meaning: If you’ve egg on your face, you look stupid and face
embarrassment because of something you’ve done.
Example: Terry had egg on his face after boasting that the examinations
were really easy, but ended up failing most of his papers.
108. Kill the goose that lays the golden eggs
Meaning: To destroy something that gives you lot of money to get immediate
returns
Example: Tearing down the top attraction in the theme park, “The Haunted
House”, would be akin to killing the goose that lays the golden egg.
109. An arm and a leg
Meaning: If something costs an arm and a leg, it costs a lot.
Example: I want to buy a house by the beach, but it may cost me an arm and
a leg.
110. Behind one’s back
Meaning: If you do something behind someone’s back, you do it secretly
without their knowledge (used in negative way).
Example: My colleague is really nice to me but I don’t trust him because I
know he talks negatively about me behind my back
111. Stab someone in the back
Meaning: Harm someone who trusts you.
Example: Don’t trust George; he’s been known to stab his friends in the back
112. Take a back seat
Meaning: If you take a back seat, you choose not to be in a position of
responsibility or power.
Example: The founder of the company decided to take a back seat and let the
board members run the business.
113. Back to the drawing board
Meaning: If you go back to the drawing board, you make a fresh start or try
another idea because the earlier one didn’t succeed.
Example: It looks like my plans to kill the weeds in the garden failed. Back to
the drawing board
114. Right off the bat
Meaning: If you do something right off the bat, you do it immediately.
Example: Nathan was in the mood for a cheeseburger, so he hopped into his
car and bought some fast food. After unwrapping the burger, he took a bite
and right off the bat he knew that something was wrong; it didn’t taste right.
115. Heart misses (skips) a beat
Meaning: If your heart misses a beat, you feel excited or nervous.
Example: Her heart missed a beat when she heard her name called out in the
list of finalists, or When the bear appeared in front of us, my heart skipped a
beat, or My heart stands still at the very thought of flying through a
thunderstorm
116. Have your heart in your mouth
Meaning: If you’ve your heart in mouth, you’re feeling extremely nervous.
 Example: You sure don’t seem relaxed—in fact, it seems like your heart is in
your mouth.
117. Not the only fish in the sea
Meaning: Not the only suitable thing or person one can find
Example: When Bob walked out on Sally, all we could tell her was that he
was not the only fish in the sea , or Bill knew she wasn’t the only pebble on
the beach but he was determined to win her over.
118. Not your cup of tea
Meaning: If you say that someone or something is not your cup of tea, you
mean that they’re not the kind of person or thing you like.
Example: We couldn’t decide which movie to watch, so we ended up settling
on a comedy. Half-way through the movie, I concluded that its humor was not
my cup of tea.
119. A piece of cake
Meaning: If something is a piece of cake, it’s easy to do.
Example: The boy found the project to be a piece of cake because it was
incredibly easy.
120. Call it a day
Meaning: If you call it a day, you stop what you’re doing because you’re tired
of it or you’ve not been successful.
Example: I think we have done enough work today, I am feeling tired now,
let’s call it a day.
121. The pot calling the kettle black
Meaning: Accusing someone of faults that you yourself have
Example: I can’t believe that you are upset because I was late. That is the pot
calling the kettle black. Peter called me a liar! That is the pot calling the kettle
black.
122. Call a spade a spade
Meaning: To speak truth even if it’s unpleasant
Example: That dress made her look fat, let’s call a spade a spade before
she goes out wearing it and embarrasses herself.
123. A bolt from the blue
Meaning: A sudden, unexpected event
Example: Let us hope the pandemic disappears. It came as a bolt from the
blue in 2020.
124. In the same boat
Meaning: If two or more persons are in the same boat, they’re in the same
difficult situation.
Example: If you lose your job, I’ll lose mine. We are both in the same boat.
125. Miss the boat/ bus
Meaning: To miss an opportunity
Example: He missed the boat when he did not apply for the job in time.
126. Over my dead body
Meaning: If you say something will happen your dead body, you mean you
dislike it and will do everything you can to prevent it.
Example: I told John that he could shave his head, over my dead body.
127. Make one’s blood boil
Meaning: To make someone extremely angry
Example: When I hear stories of cruelty to animals, it makes my blood boil.
128. Bounce something off someone
Meaning: If you bounce something off someone, you discuss ideas or plan
with someone to get their view on it.
Example: I caught the rubber ball when it bounced off the wall. The light
bouncing off of that mirror is blinding me—can we close the curtains?
129. Bell the cat
Meaning: To undertake a risky or dangerous task.
Example: Someone has to bell the cat and tell the commissioner that his own
started the violence
130. Like a cat on hot tin roof
Meaning: In an uneasy or nervous state
Example: She’s waiting for the doctor to call with her test results, so she’s
been like a cat on a hot tin roof all day